Video 2:59
Alcohol ban

Michael CogganUpdated
Sat 29 May 2010, 12:39 PM AEST

What do you think about full strength alcohol being banned at Marrara stadium?

Transcript

MELINDA JAMES, PRESENTER: The AFL Northern Territory has followed the lead of sporting venues around the country this week by announcing a ban on full strength beer at Darwin's Marrara Stadium. At one point, the AFLNT Chairman Bob Elix described the proposed ban as 'un-Territorian'. But police have convinced the league to introduce the ban this year. While full strength alcohol will still be allowed in the members lounge and corporate boxes, other sporting venues in the Territory say they won't be following the AFLNT's lead. Stateline took to the streets to find out what people think of the ban.

TONY FRAWLEY, AFLNT GENERAL MANAGER: For all football matches held at TIO stadium which includes the NTFL, NT Thunder and all AFL fixtured events, only light and mid-strength beer and low alcohol spirits will be available from the public bars at TIO stadium.

JOHN MCROBERTS, POLICE COMMISSIONER: This is a alcohol management plan that is in line with major sporting venues throughout Australia, the Northern Territory is part of Australia, and I think whilst it may be somewhat confronting to begin with, I've got no doubt that very soon after its introduction people will become accustomed to it.

MALE 1: I think they should have designated areas for it. You know, you can only drink it there and then watch the game, it's more control then.

MALE 2: I suppose it's, you know, it's got some merit particularly if you're getting sort of people a bit out of control at times.

MALE 3: I think it's a disgrace myself. I think most people that do get thrown out are drunk before they even show up there and, um, we're all suffering because the police commissioner wants to have his own way. Where is it going to stop, no alcohol there at all?

MALE 4: It doesn't worry me at all because I don't drink, so couldn't care less.

FEMALE 1: They are trying to break the culture of the heavy drinking for the children and things like that and getting them into sports. And they're not going to get them into sports if there is too much of the heavy drinking going on.

FEMALE 2: Yeah, I think it's a good idea, I drink mid-strength beer anyway. So, yeah, no I like it.

MALE 5: It intrigues me in the day's paper where Bob Elix and them were sort of against it, now they're sort of with the new police commissioner.

MALE 6: I reckon they should leave the full strength beer where it is, it's been around for a very long time and people's habits need to change. They should drink a little bit more moderately that's all.

MALE 7: Here's the bloke you ought to talk to, Elix, that's him over there.

BOB ELIX, AFLNT CHAIRMAN: When I stood up and said what I said initially, it was, I was unaware that the commissioner was still going to allow it in controlled circumstances, eg, the members and the corporate. And that changed me because our members and our corporates are very, very important to us. It might encourage membership to grow, too, which ... so there are some positives. But I do realise that some people will be upset by it. But it is inevitable and that's where we were heading.